[ecrea] call for papers - News Media Development and Sustainability in Africa

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CALL FOR PAPERS

News Media Development and Sustainability in Africa

International Conference

October 22-23, 2015

Academy and Journalism and Media & Enterprise Institute, University of
Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Objectives

Papers are being sought for presentation at an international conference
exploring African media development and sustainability that will be held
at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, October 22-23, 2015. Best
papers will be considered for publication in a special issue of /Journal
of Media Business Studies/.

Aim of this international conference is to shed light on (1) how media
are developing in different parts of Africa and what are the main
constraints to their development, (2) what factors might help bridge
financial and human capital gaps and strengthen long-term impact of
international support on media sustainability, as well as on (3) how
support to media development in Africa can be an opportunity also for
western media and investors.

Free and independent information media are fundamental for both the
economic and democratic development of societies. In certain African
countries, where conflicts are in place, media development is mainly
being supported by international donors and non-profit organizations:
they provide initial investments to help stabilize countries and support
their transition toward democracy or out of war. After a certain level
of success is perceived, donors and organizations either lower their
support or withdraw completely. The sustainability of media in the long
run is therefore the biggest problem for developing democracies to
solve. When looking at the five objectives that, according to the media
sustainability index, are deemed to enable a media system to be
independent and sustainable, the one measuring if “media are well
managed, allowing editorial independence” scores the lowest for various
African countries. This calls for a new approach to African journalism
and media management both in terms of financial support and dedicated
educational programs.

We are particularly interested in African media development (including
all platforms: print, broadcast and digital media). However, submissions
looking at media financing and sustainability in other developing
countries are welcome as they might enlarge perspectives and allow
comparative analysis. Both theoretically and empirically-based abstracts
related to the workshop theme can be submitted. Suggested research
topics for contributions include, but are not limited to:

- News media business best practices in African or other developing
countries

- Sustainability oriented news media business models in developing countries

- Impact of different forms of investments on African news media
sustainability

- Joint ventures and strategic alliances for African news media development

- Impact of international news media organizations on the news media
landscape in developing countries

- Growth, support and sustainability of indigenous language media in Africa

- Managerial and organizational challenges related to media
sustainability in African countries

- Human resource management within news media firms in developing countries

- Impact of new technologies on news media innovation and sustainability

- Relation between media regulation and media sustainability in Africa

- Media management academic programs and African media development

200-300 word abstracts are due June 21, 2015 with notifications of
accepted proposals on July 5, 2015. Full papers will be due October 1,
2015. Please send abstracts to: (cinzia.dalzotto /at/ unine.ch)
<mailto:(cinzia.dalzotto /at/ unine.ch)>

Program

·October 22: The academic community will present the state of the art of 
research on media sustainability in developing countries.

·October 23: International representatives of potential investors,
independent media entrepreneurs and the donor community present their
views and discuss possible and viable cooperative solutions to news
media sustainability in Africa. Academics will contribute to the
discussion and reflect on ways for integrating practitioners’ needs and
ideas in a future practice oriented research agenda.

Conference Organizers: Cinzia Dal Zotto, University of Neuchâtel, and
Fondation Hirondelle www.hirondelle.org

Scientific Association Partners: International Media Management Academic
Association (IMMAA) and European Media Management Association (EMMA)



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